Experience the true lush Amazon jungle in person as you travel to Puerto Maldonado and the Madre de Dios River. Participate in a diverse selection of exciting activities that will get you to interact with nature and see a wild variety of native flora and fauna. Highlights: Hike in the heart of the Amazon Watch for caiman on a night safari Walk in the canopy of jungle trees Visit the Taricaya Project Reserve

Reisroute

Puerto Maldonado Amazon Eco-Lodge 6D/5N (Night Bus from Cuzco)

Itinerary

**Important: Please be aware that the night bus journeys can be somewhat uncomfortable. The drive can take up to 10-12 hours on steep roads with many curves and an elevation change of about 3000m. We recommend purchasing this package with flights included for a shorter, more comfortable trip that allows you to make the most of your time.

Overview:

Take a transfer to the Cuzco bus station for your night bus to Puerto Maldonado on the evening of Day 1. Arrive early in the morning, enjoy a homemade breakfast and tour an orchid greenhouse before getting in a boat to reach your eco-lodge in the jungle on Day 2. Enjoy an introductory nature walk with the option to discover the jungle by night. On Day 3 go on a half-day jungle walk and visit an animal reserve where you can see incredible wild Amazonic animals before floating back to the lodge in an inflatable boat. Travel upriver to Tambopata National Reserve and trek to the mirror-like and pristine Lake Sandoval on Day 4. Paddle around in a rowboat and spot some of the abundant local wildlife. Return to Puerto Maldonado on Day 5 to visit a snake house, explore the city on a self-guided tour, and cool off at a Pool House before catching your overnight bus back to Cuzco, where your trip ends upon arrival on the morning of Day 6.

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Cuzco Bus Station Drop-Off - Night Bus to Puerto Maldonado

Today you will be picked up at your accommodation in Cuzco and transferred to the bus station in time to take a night bus from Cuzco to the town of Puerto Maldonado on the edge of the Amazon Jungle.

Note: There will be no tour leader to accompany you on the bus.

Day 2: Puerto Maldonado Activity – Boat to Eco-Lodge (B/L/D)

After breakfast begin your adventure with a walk through the jungle through towering trees. We will arrive at our first platforms located 15 and 25 meters high in the branches of an old fig tree. Continue your walk into the Taricaya reserve towards the Canopy platform, the highest tree platform in the Amazon rainforest, 45 meters high and connected by a 90-meter long suspension bridge. Catch a glimpse of flying Macaws, parrots Toucans or the infamous Harpy eagle; the views from this platform are truly unforgettable!

Continue into the reserve until we reach the animal rescue center where you will encounter many different wild animals including a jaguar, Puma, toucans, macaws, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguarondi, bush dog, tapirs and more. Stop at the butterfly house before returning to the lodge for lunch. After lunch walk to the Agroforestry farm and visit the reforestation projects of mahogany, cedar, cocoa, coffee and tropical flowers. Visit the Taricaya turtle project and its artificial beaches. Return to the lodge in your own inflatable boat as the sun sets. Take a rest before we finish the day’s activities with a caiman search along the river’s edge in a motorboat under moonlight. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Day 3: Jungle Walk – Taricaya Reserve (B/L/D)

Breakfast is served between 7am and 8am. After breakfast begin your adventure walking thru the trails surrounded by trees of heights in access of 45 meters and over 300 years old while we identify the flora and fauna by sight and sound. We will arrive at our first platforms located 15 and 25 meters high above a small collpa, in the branches of an old fig tree accessed by a suspension bridge while we explore the amazing structure of this tree and the wildlife that live in and around it. Continue your walk into the Taricaya reserve towards the Canopy platform, the highest tree platform in the Amazon rainforest. Located 45 meters high up in the crown of an ancient Kapok tree and connected by a 90-meter long suspension bridge. Catch a glimpse of flying Macaws, parrots Toucans or the infamous Harpy eagle; the views from this platform are truly unforgettable!

Continue into the reserve until we reach the animal rescue center where you will encounter many different wild animals including a jaguar, Puma, toucans, macaws, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguarondi, bush dog, tapirs and more. These animals are in the process of rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. Stop off at the Butterfly house before returning to the lodge for lunch. Take a rest after lunch before venturing off on the 25min walk to the Agroforestry farm and visit the reforestation projects of mahogany, cedar, cocoa, coffee and tropical flowers. Visit the Taricaya turtle project and its artificial beaches. Return to the lodge in your own inflatable boat with the opportunity to see turtles, monkeys, herons and other birds with a beautiful backdrop of the sunset over the river. Take a rest before we finish the day’s activities with a caiman search along the rivers edge in a motorboat under moonlight. Search for white caiman, black caiman and spectacle caiman as they lay along the rivers banks at night. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 4: Tambopata National Reserve - Lake Sandoval (B/L/D)

Have an early breakfast before traveling by boat upriver for 45 minutes to the entrance of the Tambopata National Reserve and begin the trek to Lake Sandoval. Paddle in a rowboat around the pristine mirror like lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery with the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife such as the endangered giant river otter, howler monkeys, macaws and black caiman. Take a snack by the waters edge before continuing around the lake. Finishing with a walk back to the river where we board our motorboat and return to the lodge. Lunch and rest. Navigate the Madre de Dios River in your own inflatable boat with the opportunity to see turtles, monkeys, herons and other birds with a beautiful backdrop of the sunset over the river. End the day with a Farewell dinner.

Day 5: Boat to Puerto Maldonado - Activities - Night Bus to Cuzco (B)

Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge before your 8:00am departure and a scenic return boat trip on the Madre de Dios River bringing us back to Puerto Maldonado around 9:30am. You will be dropped off at the office where you can rest, refresh yourself and use the wi-fi until 11am, when you will depart for a visit of the nearby Snake House. Take a self-guided tour to visit the reptiles rescued by the owner, a biologist that shelters and works towards research and education with these animals.

Next you will visit the Puerto Maldonado city centre on your own and explore the city with a provided map and recommendations for lunch (not included). Take a stroll through the local markets where you will find everything from fish, meat and fruits to local arts and medicines or make your own way up to the Obelisk and admire the scenic view from above.

Make your way to our central meeting point at 3:00pm, where you will be picked up and transferred to the Pool House where you can take a refreshing swim and treat yourself to the snack bar (not included). At 6:00pm you will be returned to the office to get transferred to the bus terminal where you will catch your overnight bus back to Cuzco. (Note: There will be no tour leader to accompany you on the bus.)